Shelter Veterinarian The Shelter Veterinarian plays a vital role in supporting Animal Friends' mission by providing high-quality medical and surgical care to homeless dogs, cats, and rabbits in our shelter and foster programs. This position serves as an advocate for animals in our care, ensuring they receive progressive, compassionate, and evidence-based veterinary treatment while helping Animal Friends maintain its commitment to lifesaving. Working closely with the Shelter Medicine team, Behavior Department, Humane Investigations staff, and foster volunteers, the Shelter Veterinarian contributes to positive outcomes for animals while advancing best practices in shelter medicine, animal welfare, and population health. Animal Friends is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We value the unique contributions and lived experiences of all team members and encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.
Requirements:
Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD).Demonstrated experience in small animal medicine and surgery.
Current Pennsylvania veterinary license in good standing.
Current DEA license.
Strong medical, surgical, and diagnostic skills.
Knowledge of veterinary medicine, animal disease prevention, treatment, and population health principles.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
Strong computer proficiency and ability to maintain accurate medical records.
Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, law enforcement personnel, and community stakeholders.
Ability to manage emotionally challenging situations with professionalism, compassion, and sound judgment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across departments.
Ability to safely handle dogs, cats, rabbits, and other species of varying sizes, breeds, ages, temperaments, and backgrounds.
Reliable transportation and regular onsite attendance required.
Ability to work occasional weekends, holidays, and special events as needed.
Comfort working around dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals in varying states of health and behavior.
Preferred Qualifications:- Previous experience in shelter medicine.
- Experience with veterinary forensic examinations and cruelty investigations.
- Experience performing high-volume surgical procedures.
- Experience with Shelter
- Luv or similar animal shelter management software.
- Knowledge of shelter epidemiology, population medicine, and animal welfare best practices.
- Physical, Environmental & Emotional Demands:
- Requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift up to 50 pounds.
- Involves exposure to animals, animal dander, waste, cleaning agents, disinfectants, anesthesia, pharmaceuticals, and other veterinary-related materials.
- Involves exposure to high noise levels in a shelter environment.
- May involve risk of animal bites, scratches, and other animal-related hazards.
- Requires frequent handling and restraint of animals of varying size, strength, and temperament.
- May involve emotionally challenging situations related to neglect, cruelty, euthanasia, serious illness, injury, and end-of-life care.
- Requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.
